Devotions
Rev Gav
Scene
Luke 3.1-2a
It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler over Abilene. Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests.
Reflect
The opening passage in this chapter sets the scene. Luke has moved forward another 18 years or so to when Jesus was about 30 years old. The Romans were still in power. Caesar Augustus had died and the new Caesar was called Tiberius. Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor in charge of the whole region which had been split into four smaller areas. Two of the areas to the north were ruled by self-appointed, royal Jewish leaders (under Roman control). The leaders were Herod Antipas and his brother Philip. Most Jewish people did not like the Romans and they did not like Herod and Philip, who colluded with (or worked with) the Romans. Jewish resistance groups had tried to overthrow both Herod, Philip, and the Romans, but they had all been brutally quashed. Tensions were high.
So, there were the Roman overlords, the Jewish political leaders, and the Jewish religious leaders. And yet, it was not in palaces or temples that God spoke, but through a man living in the wilderness. John’s activities were taking place outside the temple. They were outside the establishment. It is difficult to get our heads around this, but no wonder the established leaders were worried.
Where do you expect to hear God’s voice? Is it in spiritual or political places? Is it in a church service or worship? Of course God can and does speak in these places, but the faith lesson I hope you will take from this passage is that God can speak in the most unexpected of places — in the wilderness. We might look for answers from a minister, religious figure, or an organisation, but God is not constrained by us or our systems and will speak through those who are open to hearing God’s voice.
Today, if you’re looking for an answer or seeking God about something, be prepared for God to speak through someone or from a place you would least expect.
Why do you think God chose to broadcast a message through John in the wilderness, rather than through the political or religious establishment?
Pray
Holy God
I want to hear your voice.
Turn my ear to where you can be heard;
and may I be prepared to encounter
you in the ordinary and in the unexpected.
This day and for ever.
and then